Monday, 29 January 2018

Cathy Ellott, pastoral deputy of St Mary’s Ascot, said it is important to continue to discuss relationships between men and women because this is the ‘majority experience’

A deputy head at a top girls’ school has warned of the ‘real danger’ of heterosexuality being ignored in favour of lessons on gay and transgender issues.

Cathy Ellott, pastoral deputy of St Mary’s Ascot, said it is important to continue to discuss relationships between men and women because this is the ‘majority experience’.

She added that such partnerships should be ‘learned about and celebrated’ in schools so that children are prepared for adult life.

She also said her all-girls Catholic boarding school in Berkshire is rejecting a wider trend of using gender-neutral language.

Many institutions have chosen to simply refer to pupils as ‘students’ so that transgender youngsters do not feel alienated, but Mrs. Ellott said St Mary’s would continue to identify itself as ‘a school for girls’.

Her comments, made in an interview with the Independent School Parent magazine, come after the Government introduced compulsory relationships classes for children of all ages. The lessons must include material about same-sex relationships and transgender issues to comply with the Equality Act.

A number of schools are already teaching children as young as five about gay relationships and gender dysphoria. Mrs. Ellott said that while pupils at St Mary’s were taught about LGBT issues, such issues are not the focus of relationships lessons.

She warned there was a ‘real danger’ that too much emphasis on alternative lifestyles could sow confusion in youngsters.

She added: ‘There is a danger that the other sexualities are discussed, and heterosexuality – which is the majority experience – is ignored rather than learned about and celebrated.’ At St Mary’s, girls discuss transgender issues as part of its PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) studies, and relationship and sex education, ‘within the context of its Catholic ethos’.

Mrs. Ellott said: ‘This means that, although the girls are educated about transgender issues, they are encouraged to develop their own response to these issues, guided by their faith.’

While some schools have stopped using the words ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ so that transgender pupils feel included, St Mary’s is taking a more traditional approach, she said, adding: ‘We would not enforce this in our school as we identify ourselves as a school for girls.

She added that such partnerships should be ‘learned about and celebrated’ in schools so that children are prepared for adult life. Pictured: St Mary's School Ascot

‘We use “pupils” in formal situations and documentation, and often use “girls” when addressing the girls. The girls themselves have said that they prefer this.’

She did not reveal whether the school has any transgender pupils but said that if a girl wished to transition each case would be treated on an individual basis.

‘We would work very closely with the girl, her parents and where necessary other health professionals to consider what is best for the girl within a girls’ full-boarding school environment,’ she said.

Mrs. Ellott also voiced concerns that some children are facing medical intervention if they question their gender at a young age.

Figures have shown child referrals to the NHS Gender Identity Development Service have soared over the last six years. Children can be given hormones to block puberty, which will make transitioning easier after the age of 16.

Mrs. Ellott said: ‘If children suffering from gender dysphoria require medical support to flourish, then I am pleased that these services are available. However, I have serious concerns about medical intervention in children as part of a transitioning process.’

PAT SAYS:Personally, I think that it is very important that every pupil at every school are encouraged to celebrate themselves - regardless of their race, creed, sexual orientation etc.When it comes to sexual orientation I think that every school should encourage staff and pupils to celebrate DIVERSITY.To highlight one group for celebration and exclude another group for celebration would be wrong.In my opinion, having gone to an all boys school - and later to a mixed boys and girls school I think that gender mixed schools are preferable.Of course, people are entitled to other views on that - especially pupils and their parents. Like my liberal correspondent, I feel most at home in a liberal Catholic ethos.I think that the conservative and right-wing Catholic ethos is not healthy.What do blog readers think?

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A NEW ORATORY SOCIETY PRIEST

Kevin, Carole, Pat, Father Paul and Maureen after yesterday's ordination.

Yesterday The Oratory congregation gathered together at 2.30 pm for the ordination of a new priest into The Society.

The new priest is Father Paul Creaner, who is a teacher by profession and who before embarking on his teaching career spent 8 years training for the priesthood and religious life with an Irish religious order.

Paul has taken early retirement from teaching and intends spending a large chunk of his free time in various ministries.

Parents are very behind Mrs Elliott who is an excellent and valued member of Staff.This is a non-story (but you "bit", and we predict many others will too!Easy really as people cannot resist reacting..)

Don't over react.. This Deputy Head didn't say that she was in any way unsympathetic to gay and LGBT issues. She is simply trying to bring the matter into normal balance and reminding the Staff that the heterosexual experience possibly ahead of perhaps the majority of the students in their later lives should also receive attention and not be forgotten as new trends and emphasis came in. I think that was all that was intended really.

They are right in St.Mary's. People are not transgender, they choose to identify as the alternative gender and sbould be recognised as that, not left in gender-limbo. If they choose to identify as a woman recognise them as such, and visa versa

Heterosexual and transgender matters are of little interest here except when scandal is involved, e.g. Fr Dallat and Fr Shirley. Most prefer priestly scandal with a heavy gay angle it. Comments will be well down on recent days.

So somebody thinks that "comments will be well down" today if there's no new juicy scandal Pat? - - Well, maybe.. but that's says nothing or very little about you and the blog.Sadly it says everything about a large number of scandal-hungry posters. When there's no carcass, the vultures don't gather...

What smokescreen? There is no smokescreen. For the record, I studied philosophy and theology in Maynooth but my formation was at the hands of the SVD. I completed all the academic studies required of a priest but decided to ‘take time out’ just ahead of professing final vows within the order.

Why does Creanor think it is all about him? No need to jump down people's throats! That certainly doesn't augur well for the future. (Maybe you need a bit more "time out" as you put it. Your old cell mate is missing you already..)

It’s Creaner, by the way, and not Creanor. I believe it’s important to get someone’s name right.Paul, will do though. You on the other hand, snipe from the safety of an anonymous tag.Did I jump down anyone’s throat? I merely responded to a remark on this blog.I posted the info because I have nothing to hide and because someone asked about where I had studied. Again, I’ll point out you post anonymously. Let readers of this blog make of that what they will.And as for my old cell mate, if he’s the one I’m thinking of– he is hale and hearty – and always ready to extend the hand of friendship.But you know that anyway.

Paul Creaner, you were very hasty and belligerent to that poster and still don't seem to realise how defensive you come across. Choosing to remain anonymous is one of the choices that Bishop Pat gives his posters and so there's no need to get abusive because someone chose it. (Your "hale and hearty"former cell mate could teach you how to have a more friendly approach, by the sound of him.)

+Pat The pictures of Xxxxxx Mxxxxxxx of The Irish College are true. Please follow your gut and bring this horrid person to justice. He is as camp as Christmas yet he hates gay marriage??? He is the definition of a hypocrite.

Creaner lives in Belfast not in Larne. He was one of the people listed in setting up a new Church along with Pat but it seems that idea has died a death. I suspect it won’t be long until the Little Brothers goes the same way, still no address for them or email. Word has it there is already problems internally. Creaners time with the SVD’s makes interesting news.

Cathy Elliot's rearguard reaction here smacks more of desperation than hetero-normative triumphalism. An attempt to turn back the clock on advances in LGBT equality programes. Reminds me of Custer's last stand. You know: that final valiant, and very bullish, effort to rally an obviously hopeless cause just before the end inevitably and swiftly comes.

Good on ya, Cathy girl! You stand like Custer. (An' yill fall like him, too.😆)

Magna 13.19. You are an ignorant old fool. You come across as a dysfunctional, lonely, isolated figure. You cannot avoid occasions to sneer at and ridicule others..Well done to Cathy Elliot. An excellent teacher. Go back to your cave.

He's not lonely, you know, not since we got him a video. He can watch old episodes of Corrie to his heart's content, and it overjoys us to see the gleam in his eye as the music comes on. Mind you, we have to keep the creme de menthe away from him or he starts flirting with the district nurses when they come to dress his legs.

Honestly folks, can I tell you something... Mrs Elliott is a good and sensible lady who is trying to keep the school on the right lines especially when young people are under a lot of peer and media pressure to get carried away with ideas and trends that are much more serious and complex than the children realise. Parents have regular chances to talk to the Staff and they trust this school which they have chosen for its standards and its pastoral care. Respect for gender and ethnic backgrounds is shown, encouraged and expected.(I cannot speak for any individual pupil or parent who wants to overturn the balance of things etc The Staff would listen though if people need help or guidance. I know that.)

God help us all...My children will be home schooled, no doubt about it. I honestly do not know how much longer God will allow His little ones to be confused with all this dictatorial LGBT nonsense foisted on them at will.

Yes, that's correct @ 13.46Mrs. Breen, the Head or Mrs Barker are very welcoming and people can be sure of getting an appointment and sane and helpful advice. (Not sure what the Daily Mail agenda was but not to worry..)

I am sure they are. The question is do these teachers teach or even believe the teaching of the Catholic Church that masturbation is a mortal sin leading to eternal damnation, homosexual feelings ( let alone sex ) are "intrinsically disordered" ( CDF 1976 ) and remarried divorcees place themselves so far beyond the pale that they can never be admitted to communion. These are the official Catholic values Mrs Elliott claims she wishes to uphold. Does she believe them? And when at St Mary's or any other school were LGBTQ "agenda" imposed upon anyone or even mentioned? Most Catholic teachers know when to shut up, bur also when they need to further their careers by making the kind of lip service Mrs Elliott thought it opportune to make. I don't blame them personally, but I do blame the people such as me who still acquiesce in tolerating a vicious and discredited clerical caste who make these demands. The kids themselves will simply walk away as soon as school is over. What has the Church got to offer them?

Sincere congratulations to Fr Paul. Would you and he be up for going for a coffee/drink in Larne? Not counselling or anything, just a laugh over our respective war stories. I was in Maynooth probably around Paul's time but strangely the diocesans and the religious didn't really mix much.

Dwayne is an anglicised version of the Welsh form, Dubhan (pronounced much the same)So yes, there is a saint!He was a 5th century monk and his claim to a place in Church history is that he established the monastery at Hook Head in Ireland. Local people may know more!

Pat, can you answer my question?Why do you allow another poster to post comments under the name Magna, as we already have a blogger that name.I do understand you were busy ordaining yesterday.Or are you like Arlene using a stand in to make your posts?And how comes the new Magna can post directly under the real pseudo poster Magna.I have made numerous replys to different posters using the reply button....but they never come close to the post I’m replying toYour whole set up is starting to stink.

Hey, hey! - - What's all this? Someone else suddenly gone all defensive.. I didn't notice anyone saying you shouldn't have been his ordination bishop... Paul has it sorted for now, by the sound of things... Why are you both getting het up?

Relihan was very goodlooking in classpiece or ordination photo online. Pat can we have an abridged version? Is the revelation on your blog last night by the poster true about the Meath link? Have you finished your Meath thrawl? Or was it just about the opulence of Navan presbytery?

We tried this in the school I teach in (see, I know how not to harangue. We stopped using 'girl' and 'boy' completely in favour of pupil and had a number of gender-neutral pronouns. Most of the students chose to be 'it' though. I n no time we had a problem when a pupil got something stuck in their eye. Imagine the reaction to my suggestion of getting 'it' out under the tap!

Pat I read that you gave Paul inservice training.Thing is you are/were a curate...nothing more.Are we to believe you did open university teaching degrees in priesthood stuff.I know you have really good journalistic skills...but courses in same ????Courses to become a bishop???....what like the Rc bishops....they are some joke.

I suppose this begs the question of what constitutes appropriate training for priesthood, which in turn might relate to the different types of ministry priests might undertake.For example, I would place higher value on psychological training and counselling than knowledge of either canon law or the old testament for clerics engaged in pastoral ministry.And bear in mind that being "signed off by ordination should be the start of continuing in service training MMM

MMM , 23.24. Surpeised that you would offer any further comment on this farce of a blog. It's going nowhere meaningfully or intelligently. You are right - the real, true learning begins after ordination when we priests are brought into the real world of people's lives. On-going psycpsychological, self development programmes, counsellng courses, prayer and spirituality seminars are all essential for modern priesthood. I try to do this. But this blog is now bizarrely farcical.

Thank you Anon @ 01:35.I tend to agree with you about the current 'state' of this blog, and have, for that reason, refrained of late from commenting too much.In summary: I've become bored with the tedious repetitious focus on sexual matters, and in particular with homosexuality. I understand Pat's frustrations at the contradictory hypocritical stance of the RC church. But blog after blog seems to now focus in an almost gleeful titillating manner on sexual impropriety, if not actually in the blog, certainly in many of the comments. Intelligent discussion has diminished. I wonder if that's because others too are bored with the matter, and while the number of "hits" or comments might seem at times to increase, perhaps the value of many contributions, with some notable exceptions could be questioned.MMM

Pat, magna is intelligent and some of his contributions are interesting even if I don't agree with him personally, but he/they are changing the tone of this blog and lowering it in my view. Too much smart camp does nothing for the subject matter. Just a thought.

I think it's humanised Magna Carta. Nice to see him laughing and joking instead of screaming and insulting. I feel slightly less negatively towards him for seeing him with the faux MC(s) the past couple of days.